The overall objective was to set up the basis for more appropriate data collection and analysis programs in order to support existing and emerging fishery management issues. The present data and advisory structures have developed by a process of evolution and involve considerable commitment of human and financial resources. In general these resources are in short supply and may be declining. It is no longer clear whether present systems can be maintained or whether they are appropriate for emerging issues, notably those relating to a more holistic approach to fishery management.

The first objective of the concerted action was to understand the current balance between resources devoted to data collection and value of these data in the provision of advice. This required the evaluation of the range of advice requested on fishery management and the data needs to perform the science to support it. Of particular importance is the basic fisheries data on catch composition according to species, size or age and commercial catch per unit of effort (CPUE) according to fleet since these are used in almost all analyses. However other types of necessary data have also been included, e.g. research vessel CPUE, stock structure according to size or age, weight and maturity at age.

The second objective was to quantify the quality of the scientific outputs derived from the data inputs. Since much advice is qualitative and relies on expert judgement, this objective was focussed to quantifying the reliability of routine annual stock assessments upon which advice is formulated.

The third objective was to identify alternative uses of data and alternative analytical methods which could support present fishery management needs as well as those which could address new and emerging issues, such as multi-annual decision rules and mixed fisheries issues.

The fourth and final objective was to analyse ways of re-deploying existing resources in order to support a modern fishery management system. With focus on where data collection should be improved and rationalisation of the deployment of current resources to improve efficiency scope for re-deployment of resources to address emerging management advisory needs, such requirements of effort management systems and the implementation of the ecosystem approach to fisheries management.